Friday, 19 April 2013

MOBILE APP TESTING CHECKLIST V

Store specific checks

The app cannot download code to be installed without the users consent.

The app can only get new functionality by way of an upgrade through the app store.

After download, an app should remain working. An app cannot turn off after a few days.

An app can’t be a “trail”, “beta”, “demo” or “test” version.

Apple product names should be spelled correctly in the app. (For instance: IPhonez is wrong).

If the app uses the web, it is not done using third party (i.e. non-Apple) browsers.

You cannot mention other app platforms in your app (for instance: “Also available on android!”)

An app cannot use old interfaces, like for instance the iPod click wheel.

Functionality should be in sync with functionality described in store.

The app can’t use the user’s location without permission.

All url’s in the app code should be fully functional

The location services cannot be used to autonomously control of vehicles or for emergency services.

An app cannot use push notifications without user consent.

Push notification can’t send personal information.

The App may not distribute any private information of users (like Player ID) through the game center.

Ad banners must be hidden when there are no ads available.

The app must respect copyright of apple and other parties.

An app can’t restrict the users of the app for instance by location or carrier.

The in app purchase mechanism cannot be used to purchase goods and services used outside the app.

The in app purchase mechanism cannot be used to collect money for charities. This has to be done through SMS.

The in app purchase mechanism cannot be used to buy a raffle or lottery ticket directly from the app.

Apps that encourage the users to use the device in a way that may damage the device will be rejected

An app cannot require user’s personal information (for instance email address) in order for it to function.

An app cannot use location services of the device without asking permission.

An app cannot send spam or introduce viruses, or use other apple platforms like Game Center and Push Notifications to do so.

Push notifications have to be send using the Apple Push Notification (APN) API. This has to be done using an APN ID.

Multitasking functionality of the app can only be used for its intended purposes, i.e. VoIP, Audio playback, location, task completion, local notifications, etc. This means that generally an app can’t run in the background but has to be closed off if it’s not used any more.

The app must have some functionality. For instance, it can’t be just a title page leading to some text. It can’t be just a song, movie or book as there are different platforms for that.

The app can’t use any “non-public API’s”. This means that you can’t use some functions that the distributing platform uses for its own apps. (This can generally be checked best by some sort of automated tool, like http://www.chimpstudios.com/appscanner/)

The app can’t reprogram controls of the device that are not intended for that use. (For instance: using the volume button as a shutter for the camera).

The app should aim at backing up a minimum of information on iCloud. The information in iCloud should be just the user generated information. Information that can be recreated or downloaded should not be backed up.

The app should not access information on the device outside the app without the user’s permission (for instance, copying the address book or getting information from other apps).

The app should not access or write files outside the “Bundle” and “Documents” directory. (because the app can’t read or write data outside the designated container area).

In general, the app has to be decent. So no explicit material in the sense of sex, violence, drugs, alcohol or tobacco. It cannot address a specific ethnic or religious group in a derogatory way.

The app has to be honest. This means that the description of the app has to be correct, and all functionality has to work as described. If an app gives diagnostic information, it has to be reliable. This also means that the genre and category in the  description must be appropriate. The app icons should be consistent and appropriate.